Modern Languages and Literatures

Ithaca College Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

The goals of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures are to prepare students to live and work in the global environment by enabling them to communicate in languages other than English and to develop an awareness and appreciation of different cultures. Anchored in the foundations of the humanities, the department fosters critical thinking, creativity and synthesis. Its focus is inherently multi-disciplinary and thus encourages inter-disciplinary thinking. By virtue of its emphasis on multilingualism, the department is an agent of cultural diversity. In addition, the department remains strongly committed to the Teacher Education Program.

***IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 AND THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, WE ACCOMMODATE STUDENTS WITH DOCUMENTED DISABILITIES ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. STUDENTS MUST REGISTER WITH THE OFFICE OF ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES AND PROVIDE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION TO THE COLLEGE BEFORE ANY ACADEMIC ADJUSTMENT WILL BE PROVIDED. If you do require special accommodations, please be sure (1) to register with the Office of Academic Support Services and (2) to inform me in person—-I want to accommodate you, and I like to have a good idea of how to do that. SPAN 321 Advanced Grammar and Composition, 3 credits

Instructor: Sergio Pedro Office: Muller 434 e-mail: [email protected] Hours: MWF 9:30-10:00, TR 9:30-11:00

Course Description: SPAN 321 addresses errors common to English speakers who are at an advanced-low or intermediate-high level of Spanish. We expand a little vocabulary through readings, and we do engage in conversation, but the bulk of classroom time is devoted to the discussion & practice of grammar themes. Some work is done at home, individually, other work happens in groups or as a class. You are tested on these themes in class conversation, in frequent quizzes, 2 exams, and in your essays which are peer-edited in a workshop atmosphere. The course is grammar-intensive and conducted in Spanish. I am happy to explain grammar points, but the less I speak (the more you do), the better.

Course Objectives: The course aims to dissuade you from thinking in English with Spanish words (or Spanish words with English phrasing), and teaches you instead to think and to express yourself in Spanish in the way that native speakers do. Toward this end, we address the aspects of Spanish that English speakers find most problematic. Objectives coincide with the grammar points on which students are tested:

- knowledge and application of linguistic and grammatical terminology - gender, number and agreement (for nouns, adjectives & articles) - proper use of pronouns & articles - semantic distinctions (ser & estar, por & para, “time”, “realize”, etc.) - verb aspect, mood and time - vocabulary, idioms & expressions - Spanish syntax

Methodology: We divide lessons in three parts: First, students study the formula or the rule in question. Second, students apply these ruels to written excercises. Thirdly, students draw upon these formulae and rules in their own writing. General information

Am I in the right course? The ideal student has taken SPAN 202 (4th semester) or the equivalent. You should know verb tenses, be able to communicate in classroom Spanish and already have some experience with ser & estar, preterit and imperfect, & subjunctive & indicative. See me as early as possible if you feel that you are in the wrong course.

How much time do I need to devote to this course? With foreign language study, it is vastly more effective to study every day for 15-20 minutes than it is to study for longer periods once or twice per week. I do not recommend going two or more days without reviewing current material. About 2 hours per week outside of class should be all you need.

Software & web access. The course syllabus, course schedule, announcements and some course materials are online, on SAKAI. For essays you will need MS Word or Open Office (I do not recommend Text Edit). The online dictionary at wordreference.com is also highly recommended.

* TEXT (in bookstore)

Dominicis & Reynolds, Repase y escriba, 6th ed. Wiley, 2011.

How to Study

(a) First, at home, learn “the formula.” Know the grammar point, the given vocabulary, the verb forms, etc. Gather as much from the lesson as you can.

(b) Once you know the lesson, then and only then, apply the rules you now know to the assigned exercise(s).

(c) You have learned rules, you have practiced them. To retain them: use these grammar points, expressions, vocabulary words, etc., in speech and in your own essays. Your efficiency in doing so will not only determine how much you get out of the course, it will partly determine your grade. Your Grade Preparation & Participation 15% Essay Revision 10% Quizzes & Short Assignments 25% First Exam 10% Essays (2-3) 30% Second Exam 10%

Grading scale 87-89 B+ 77-79 C+ 67-69 D+ 0-59 F 93-100 A 83-86 B 73-76 C 63-66 D 90-93 A- 80-82 B- 70-72 C- 60-62 D-

Participation criteria

1. The use of English in class will negatively affect your participation grade. 2. I trust you to decide for yourself whether you should be in class or have something more important to take care of. You do need to attend to participate, and you are always responsible for all assignments and material. As a guideline, you should not exceed three absences. 3. Prepare every day (not once between classes, every day!), in small increments (15-20 minutes). Keep the language & current material active in your mind. 4. When needed, ask for help from other students, myself or a tutor. 5. Be attentive, participate actively & have some fun with activities. In essence, classroom time is time to practice Spanish. All you need to do is contribute positively toward a classroom atmosphere where you and others do that, and 15% of your grade is an A.

Essay topics and instructions are found on SAKAI, online. Please staple multiple page assignments. I will demand 2-3 essays throughout the semester. It is important that you revise your writing well before bringing it to class—you will get the most out of the assignment that way and your grade will reflect the effort. Peer review aside, all writing must be yours and yours alone (see student handbook on plagiarism). On the first day, you bring in the best essay you can write, which a classmate will peer-review. On the 2 nd day you turn in both copies together: the copy on which your peer made the corrections and the final version where you implemented them.

Essay Revision: We work in a workshop atmosphere, where you revise a peer’s essay while your peer revises yours. You may always ask me questions during essay revision (highly encouraged). The revision grade reflects your grammatical accuracy, your insight and the usefulness of your comments.

Quizzes always cover recent material. Some quizzes are announced, some are not.

Exam I happens at the midpoint of the semester (date TBA). Exam II happens on the last day of classes. One or two themes (TBA) from Exam I may show up again on Exam II.

Welcome aboard & have a great semester!